Cardio-Oncology Program Certified as Gold Center of Excellence

When people undergo treatment for cancer it can take a toll on their heart health. That’s why in 2015 co-directors Deborah Sundlof, DO, and Ranju Gupta, MD, joined forces to create the Cardio-Oncology Program at Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN), part of Jefferson Health. The program works with people undergoing treatment, and cancer survivors, to minimize and prevent heart-related issues caused by certain cancer treatments. 

Recently the cardio-oncology program was once again certified by the International Cardio-Oncology Society (IC-OS) as a Gold Center of Excellence. This recognition is earned by only a handful of organizations across the U.S. and according to their website, it “recognizes those institutions and practices which have demonstrated superior expertise in the care and treatment of patients within the cardio-oncology sphere.”

“Dr. Gupta and I are proud of the program we have built,” Dr. Sundlof says. “I hear from patients frequently that they find it reassuring that their cancer doctor and heart doctor are collaborating. As clinicians it has become more important to break down the silos we tend to work in and realize that by working together, we can improve outcomes for our patients.” 

A common condition the cardio-oncology program diagnoses and treats is cardiotoxicity, which can weaken the heart muscle, raise blood pressure, or cause the heart to beat out of sync, a condition known as arrhythmia. Heart specialists in the cardio-oncology program assess a patient’s heart disease risk and work with their oncologist to develop a personalized treatment plan. They aim to minimize heart-related problems that can happen because of some cancer treatments in certain people. 

“Part of our objective is to increase the level of understanding about the potential for cardiotoxicity due to certain cancer medications and treatments,” Dr. Gupta says. “Most patients likely have no idea there could be any connection between the heart and oncology drugs.”

Cancer and heart disease share many of the same risk factors, like smoking, obesity, poor nutrition and diabetes. The cardio-oncology program can serve as a preventive measure to help both cancer patients and cancer survivors.

“This program provides a tremendous benefit to the community. We have such great expertise right here in the Lehigh Valley,” Dr. Sundlof says. “People don’t have to travel to New York or Philadelphia for leading-edge care. Cancer patients are going through a lot and traveling long distances for treatment adds to their burden. It’s great we can offer world-class care right here.” 

In addition to recognizing LVHN’s cardio-oncology program, the certification also provides a quality metrics framework based on industry standards and best practices to support the development, growth and impact of the cardio-oncology program.

Since it began, the Lehigh Valley Health Network's cardio-oncology program has served approximately 700 patients and has become a major initiative, according to Dr. Sundlof, who also serves as co-director of the Women’s Heart Program.

“It has been a rewarding journey for both me and Dr. Gupta,” Dr. Sundlof says. “Our expertise has reached as far away as Thailand where we helped cardiology and oncology colleagues start the first cardio-oncology programs. They will soon be expanding to a fifth hospital.”